Swiss Police Chief: We are threatened by the Kosovo-Albanian mafia

The new head of the Swiss Federal Police, Eva Wilde-Cortes, has warned about the growing influence of the Kosovo-Albanian mafia in Switzerland, stating that this criminal network is a key player in international drug trafficking and money laundering, Reporteri reports.

"The import of cocaine into Europe is largely controlled by the Albanian mafia, with the Kosovo-Albanian network playing a significant role among them. These groups are connected to the Italian mafia, which finances the import, while the Dutch Mocro-mafia distributes the drugs across the continent. In Switzerland, local gangs take over the sales, thus completing the criminal chain," Wilde-Cortes stated.

According to her, Switzerland has become not only a transit country but also a target destination for these criminal activities.

Particular attention was drawn to a large police operation conducted against a travel agency in Lucerne, which, according to Wilde-Cortes, was part of a money laundering network operated by the Kosovo-Albanian mafia.

"The agency organized trips to the Balkans but actually served as a front for the transfer of money and drugs. Investigators recorded 750 courier visits over the course of a year. This network was under the control of a Kosovo-Albanian criminal group," she revealed.

She added that criminal organizations launder money not only through shisha bars and barbershops, but also through "bubble tea" shops, pizza deliveries, and travel agencies, using legitimate businesses as a cover for illegal activities.

Wilde-Cortes assessed that Switzerland is facing serious security challenges due to the presence of several organized criminal groups – including the Italian ’Ndrangheta, the Dutch Mocro-mafia, and the Nigerian Black Axe – but emphasized that the role of Albanian and Kosovo-Albanian clans in drug trafficking is particularly significant and well-organized.